Srinagar, July 16:  The government missive to its employees to attend their workplaces during shutdown and curfew failed to generate positive response from them since no transport facility has been made available.
The circular was meant to smooth functioning of administration, hospitals, schools and its allied services. Principal Government Medical College and its Associated Hospitals Dr Shahida Mir said that staff has to face inconvenience without any proper transport facility. “We have written to Divisional Commissioner Kashmir for transport buses. Till this time it has not been made available to our staff. Presently we ferry our staff in ambulances and college buses,” Shahida told Greater Kashmir.
“The females staff has to face severe problems in crowded ambulances.  Though staff faces inconvenience but we have to run hospital in risk as it caters to huge flow of patients especially keeping in view the prevailing circumstances,” she added.
Nazir Ahmad, a government employee who could not attend his duty said there was no government transport service available. “It is impossible for an employee to walk 5-7 kms on foot amid restrictions. Besides forces do not spare employees so it is impossible for us to join duty. First it is impossible for us to come out of home in old city amid so much of forces and restrictions,” he said.
Meanwhile, secretary education G A Peer informed that schools witnessed 100 percent attendance of teachers today. “There was 100% attendance in KothiBagh, Amira Kadal and all other schools of the valley,” Peer told Greater Kashmir.
He said the government has informed transport department to make buses available for employee and at several places they ferry employees. “Usually our teachers lives in the vicinity of schools, so there is no problem for them to join schools. They easily come to school, besides walking 4-5 kilometers on foot is not a big deal. Those who could not make it to schools simply proceed on leave,” Peer explained.
Minister of transport Qamar Ai Akhoon said government buses were plying on several routes especially for Secretariat.When asked about other departments and services, he replied, “If there is any problem faced by employees they should contact his office. There is no need to inform Divisional commissioner. Departments or hospitals should contact General Manager or manager SRTC.”

Lastupdate on : Fri, 16 Jul 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 16 Jul 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 17 Jul 2010 00:00:00 IST